Moto2 recap: Round 1 - Qatar

In the Moto2 season opener Sam Lowes and Johann Zarco were the fastest men on the grid but both failed to win the race after a mistake from Lowes and a mechancial issue for Zarco. Jonas Folger was the recipient of this fortune to win in Qatar.

Lowes started from pole position after dominating qualifying but a false neutral on lap three pushed him wide and caused him to crash. After the race the Speed Up rider was disconsolate but he had made an important step and proved that he had the pace to run at the front in the class. Even so seeing an easy podium slip away thought him a harsh lesson.

Zarco was running away from the field until a problem with his gear selector saw him lose momentum out of the final corner. Looking down to see what was causing the issue he was distracted and started to drift towards the pitlane. Quick thinking by the mechanics saw them pull in their pit boards just before the Frenchman ran wide and almost hit the pitwall. Zarco collected himself and finished eighth.

Folger inherited the lead and took the flag comfortably ahead of Xavier Simeon and Thomas Luthi.